While one may wonder why Willow Garage’s PR2 is priced $100,000 USD more than AIST’s recently unveiled HRP-4 (unless you get in on their open-source deal), one thing is for certain: the PR2 has the goods when it comes to practicality. Chances are it won’t fall over, and even if it did it probably wouldn’t break; I’m not sure the same could be said of the fragile-looking HRP-4. In any case, Willow Garage continues to flex its ROS muscles in their latest video, which shows the PR2 pushing a cart into a fairly tight space. The cart could be replaced with just about any large object, such as a hospital wheelchair or warehouse crate.

Honda’s ASIMO does a decent job of it in a big empty room, but the PR2 is figuring out how to maneuver based on its sensor data. Kinda makes you wonder if Honda (and Toyota, among others) should consider some sort of partnership with Willow Garage, huh?

“Kinda makes you wonder if Honda (and Toyota, among others) should consider some sort of partnership with Willow Garage”
– no, I want them to make a proper Miku robot next time :) – the HRP-4 looks as a good way – but next time make it with a face